Bedford Blues continue to build as duo head to Goldington Road

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Bedford Blues’ preparations for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season have continued with the addition of two new faces to the Goldington Road club.

Back row forward Josh Buggea has signed from Worcester Warriors and brings plenty of strength and enthusiasm to the pack.

Nuneaton-born Buggea started playing rugby at 11 years old when he went to Bablake in Coventry – the school that helped to produce 1974 British & Irish Lion Geoff Evans and recent England fly-half Shane Geraghty.

Buggea continued his rugby education at Hartpury College where he played and won the AASE final against Oaklands College in 2011 before being called up to the England U18 side the following year.

Having been snapped up by the Warriors Academy and playing in the Cavaliers team, Buggea also experienced extra game time when he joined Doncaster Knights on loan last season.

Speaking about the signing, Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer said: “Josh is just the sort of player that we want to see at Goldington Road.

“He is young, physical, has plenty of pace and isn’t afraid to throw himself into the game.

“He will also have a great set of experienced players around him and I’m sure that he will be able to learn a lot from them to help him develop even further as a player.”

Bedford have also confirmed that strength and conditioning coach Andy Petts has joined the club following Paddy Hogben’s departure to Saracens.

Petts has a wealth of experience in professional rugby having spent the past seven seasons with fellow Championship side Bristol who he left following the play-off final defeat to London Welsh.

Rayer added: “We are delighted that a coach of Andy’s calibre has agreed to join us and I’m sure that all of the lads are looking forward to working with him.

“I know that he has plenty of ideas and will be looking to speak with the players individually in order to put them on the best possible training regime.

“I also want to thank Paddy for the wonderful job that he did for us during his two-year stint at Goldington Road. Everyone at the club wishes him well with his new job at Saracens.”

The Blues return to pre-season training at the end of June and have lined up two home friendlies ahead of the new campaign.

Old Albanians visit Goldington Road on Friday, August 15 before Premiership giants Saracens make the trip to Bedford a fortnight later. Ticket details for both games will appear on the club website soon.